OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

152338 Jack Birky <birkyjw@e...> 2005‑11‑13 Very belated bio.
Greetings Galoots & Galootesess.        
        As holder of  the worlds record for being a (under the porch dweller)
it is time for me to come out in the bright lights, (blink blink). Ask
Gary Roberts when we first discussed Keen Kutter;-) Anyway being raised
the son of a do-it-yourselfer, on a stump ranch, we did it ourselves or
it did not get done. I enjoyed woodworking at age eight, put my first
wood shingle roof on then. We built our own homes when I was eight and
one at fourteen! Was raised on a one hundred  sixty acre ranch, in Sweet
Home, Orygun, which we (my brother and I) logged and thinned yearly with
a Swedish fiddle and an olde farm tractor! Started working away from
home at age sixteen as a Sawyer in a small box factory/ sawmill. The
mill burnt down so I went to work in the wood as a professional logger
at seventeen. Really enjoyed that also, (mud in the Winter and dust in
the Summer). Helped build  a sled for a steam donkey, also got to
operate it for awhile:-) Fast forward a couple of years, (Uncle Sam
break) finds me in Iowa City building houses, again (dust in the Summer
and snow in the Winter. So you can see I have sawdust in my veins;-).
        Lest you think I am one hundred, was born 10/23/36 in Denver Co. moved
to Orygun at age seven. Left Iowa in 1961 and worked as a carpenter in
Eugene, Or. for two years. Then getting very  tired of the mud and dust,
became the first certified Floorcovering Mechanic in the state of Or.
Did this for thirty two years and then started my own home remodeling
business, that has lasted up until at least yesterday;-) (did a stone
fireplace hearth), may continue longer as
there are still a few jobs on hold;-) Tools have been a passion all my
life, (started at age  seven) and the pile is huge, so if you need
something just give me a
ping:-) 
        The joys of co**ecting are #1 Finding, #2 Restoring, #3
Sharing!! 
         I do many  reenactments setting up a very complete woodworking shop,
 with wooden screw vice workbench, chopping block, shaving
horse, and a full compliment of tools!  Oh yes I use a # 1, Millers Pat
# 42 and any of my hand tools to the oohs and ahhhs of the crowd. We are
just care takers of these fine tools and must teach the young what and
how to use them.
I still use the crosscut saw we used as a kid, the people love to help 
make thin (lg) 8"-!0" wooden nickels. The  (spills) give always are also
a hit. My 14" French bowel adz is one tool that gets many questions, yes
I demo how to make bowls. Did I mention I wear a 1876 apparel, complete
with large feather in my hat?
        At the present time am working on a new proper shop, 42"x50", Dutch
barn/ tool display on the second floor.
Well this is over kill I know, but tools are just me! 
        Regards to all on the list, some of whom I know very well, GaM,
and some are
e- friends:-) also thanx for all the acquired knowledge you have all
contributed to this novice. Best Regards ibjb
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Recent Bios FAQ